BBS: Inland Empire Archive
Date: 12-19-92 (18:11) Number: 357
From: WES GARLAND Refer#: NONE
To: SEAN PAGE Recvd: NO
Subj: Mathematics Code Conf: (2) Quik_Bas
Hi Sean!
SP> What I need are some routines of the following descriptions:
SP>
SP> AngleToOpponent: Using current X/Y[/Z] coordinates, calculate the
SP> angle from the centerline of the player's ship to
SP> the opponent ship. If Z, calculate both angles.
SP>
SP> RangeToOpponent: Using the descriptions given above, calulate the
SP> range between ships.
SP>
In Ontario, is standard Grade 13 algebra/geometry. You
should be able to find a text on this (check first-year or
grade 12 texts I guess), its not very hard;just simple
vector math. DISCLAIMER: I'm not very good at math...
The best way to do is to set it up on a grid. This applies
to 2D and 3D.. Once you've got it on a grid, you've got
some nice things to work with. The co-ordinates of the grid
are the distance from the orgin, and there are a lot of
standard relations you can use. I'll discuss range first...
The range to the opponent is given by Range=sqr((x2-
x1)^2+(y2-y1)^2) for 2D,Range=sqr((x2-x1)^2+(y2-y1)^2+(z2-
z1)^2) in three dimensions, Where x and y are the
coordinates of the objects on the graph. This is just the
Phythagorem Theorem revisited, if you're wondering where it
came from. Oh yeah,remember, in 3D, the Z axis is "up", the
Y axis is is "right", and the X axis is "out".
Angle to Opponent is a little complicated. Let me thing here... (hmm...)
First, you have to do is translate the grid so that the
player is at the origin. All the math is much easier if you
do this... So you can keep track of everything in "real-
space", but the when you have to do a calculation,just move
space so that the player is at the origin.
You can do this by subtracting the coordinates of the
Opponent from the coordinates of the player, ie (x,y,z) =
(x2-x1, y2-y1, z2-z1). Now that you know this (x,y,z), (for
2D, just ignore the z part of this).
Now, lets call the angle between the vector (line joining opponent to origin)
and the x-axis alpha, the angle between the vector and the
y axis beta, and the angle between the z axis and the
vector gamma. Remember, in 2D alpha + beta = 90, but there
is *NO* relation like this in 3D!
Now. Lets see here.. Hmm.. Hm... (been away from this for a while :-)
cos alpha = x/Range \
cos beta = y/Range | I think!
cos gamma = z/Range /
note: In texts, Range to the opponent is the magnitude of
the vector. Remember, in this case, you don't need to do
the subtraction for the range calculation, because the
coordinates of the player are (0,0,0) because you've
translated space so that the player is at the origin.
Anyhow, theres one thing I haven't told you here and to tell you the truth I
can't figure out the answer.. How do you find theta from
cos theta = whatever.. Well, its easy with a calculator but
I don't know how to do it in QB. Anybody help here? I may
be able to figure it out when I find my QB manual :-)
If you still need help, let me know.
Wes
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